hexagonal Cyclosilicates
Red Beryl
Formula Be3Al2(SiO3)6:Mn3+
Crystal Structure
#! Species: Red Beryl (Bixbite)
#! System: Hexagonal (6/mmm)
#! Habit: Short prismatic to tabular, red
hexagonal[6/mmm]:{10-10}@1.0 + {0001}@0.5 + {11-20}@0.2 | elongate(c:0.6)
hexagonal
6/mmm
{10-10} {0001} {11-20}
Quick Facts
Hardness
7.5
Specific Gravity
2.66
Refractive Index
1.564
Optical Character
Uniaxial -
Physical Properties
- Crystal System
- hexagonal
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 7.5
- Specific Gravity
- 2.66
- Cleavage
- Imperfect basal
- Fracture
- Conchoidal to uneven
- Lustre
- Vitreous
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 1.564
- Birefringence
- 0.005-0.009
- Optical Character
- Uniaxial -
- Dispersion
- 0.014
- Pleochroism
- strong: Purplish-red / Orange-red (Dichroic; similar to ruby but with different hue range)
Characteristics
Colours
RedRaspberry redPurplish-redDeep red
Localities
Wah Wah Mountains, Utah (USA)Thomas Range, Utah (USA)New Mexico (USA)
Common Inclusions
Two-phase inclusionsBixbyite crystite crystalsGrowth tubesLiquid feathers
Known Treatments
Generally not treated (rarity)
Crystal Forms
hexagonal_prismpinacoiddihexagonal_prism
Related Minerals
Other minerals in the hexagonal system
